JOHN F. FLOYD: Quick, strong response needed to Libya attack

Friday

Sep 14, 2012 at 6:28 PMSep 14, 2012 at 6:30 PM

President Barack Obama recently stated that Republican running mates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan know nothing about foreign policy. I say, thank God. United States foreign policy toward the Middle East, under the present administration, is one of appeasement, sublimation and ignorance.

By John F. FloydSpecial to The Times

President Barack Obama recently stated that Republican running mates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan know nothing about foreign policy. I say, thank God. United States foreign policy toward the Middle East, under the present administration, is one of appeasement, sublimation and ignorance.We all will hear phrases like “there should be no knee jerk reaction,” “calm heads should prevail,” “this is not the time to react aggressively,” “we must have quiet diplomacy,” ad nauseum.Egypt has destroyed the American embassy. Libya torched the American embassy and killed the ambassador and three of his aides. Yemen is in the process of eliminating the U.S. presence there. The mayhem in the Middle East toward the U.S. likely will intensify and expand to other Muslim countries. Our country’s response to the atrocities has been to apologize for actions by the U.S. that were offensive to the Muslim nations. How many Americans must die before we cease apologizing for actions of the many kooks we have in our country who produce movies and write novels?Whether you agree or disagree with these producers or novelists, they are protected by the U.S. Constitution. Where is the outrage by our government for the loss of American diplomats’ lives? When does the U.S. quit groveling at the feet of the Muslim religion?Just recently, the U.S. sent millions of taxpayer dollars to Egypt to rebuild mosques damaged by heavy floods. It gives billions of taxpayer dollars to Egypt labeled as foreign aid. When is the U.S. going to learn that it cannot buy the friendship of nations where hatred of the U.S. is a dominant mantra? Now is the time to take off the gloves and the following actions are called for:• Stop all American travel to Egypt or anywhere else in the Middle East where anti-American riots are occurring. • Bring all embassy personnel back to the safety of the U.S. and shut down affected embassies.• Initiate an immediate cessation of all foreign aid both monetary and non-monetary.• Remove all Americans such as Peace Corps workers, agricultural groups and others.There probably are many other aid programs the average citizen knows nothing about that should also be discontinued.Finally, we should issue an edict to all nations throughout the world. We are a peaceful nation that wants to live in a world community of other peaceful nations. However, when our citizens and interests are violated, the perpetrators of these violations will be subject to a full-force response from the United States of America.The present U.S. administration will have no stomach for the remedies I have recommended and neither will the Republicans. After all, contemporary politicians have knowledge far beyond the limitations of common men. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., moans about Egypt being the largest Middle Eastern country and critical to America’s long-term interests. I am considered the unwashed when I ask “why?” That is a question that needs to be addressed to every country that receives U.S. taxpayer dollars. With the mindset of American politicians, Democrat and Republican, the average American and his or her thoughts, is incidental. We just don’t understand the big picture.Present foreign policy is not a Democrat or Republican problem. This is an American leadership issue. The American people will have to decide whether or not the U.S. response to the death of an American ambassador and three aides is appropriate. We have a president who cozies up to Islam as if it was the primary religion of the U.S. That should be troubling for all Americans whether Christian, Buddhist, Jewish or other.I am embarrassed as an American with our country’s response to all the murder and mayhem in the Middle East. Apologizing for creating the situation that resulted in the death of four fine Americans is revolting, and I think most Americans would agree.The U.S. response to the murders of its diplomats should be immediate and measurable. Anything less is not an option.

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